His step-father Sonny added: “He was a gentle giant, kind as well and he liked to help others.”

Police have said that house-to-house enquiries are continuing in the area and following information received, the search for the victim’s vehicle, a Ford Focus-derived van, HT02 HMA, is now focused on the Mitcham area of Surrey.

It was reported earlier that the man suspected of the murder had handed himself in to police.

Police have now announced that he is currently in hospital. Read the full report here.

Anyone with information about the incident or who may know the location of the van is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 (Sussex) quoting Operation Waterhouse.

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